Trump Administration to Pull Over 7,000 U.S. Troops Out of Afghanistan: Report

OUT OF THERE

Updated Dec. 21, 2018 5:18AM ET / Published Dec. 20, 2018 5:10PM ET

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The Trump administration is considering a “significant drawdown” of U.S. troops in Afghanistan that could begin in the coming weeks, The Wall Street Journal reports. An official told the newspaper more than 7,000 troops will begin to return home in the coming weeks in the “first stage of a phased drawdown” that could take “many months.” It also marks an abrupt end to the 17-year U.S. effort in the region. According to the Journal, there are more than 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. “I think it shows how serious the president is about wanting to come out of conflicts,” a senior official told the newspaper. “I think he wants to see viable options about how to bring conflicts to a close.” On Wednesday, President Trump announced that he intends to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, a move that was not supported by the Pentagon or the State Department and triggered Defense Secretary James Mattis’ resignation. Pentagon and U.S. Central Command officials declined to comment to the Journal.